Banana Almond Smoothie Recipe

Skip the Smoothie Joint and Make Your Own Banana Almond Shake

Today I realized that essentially I am in the midst of a common-law marriage to a bowl of oatmeal; we're going on seven years strong. Some might view this as sad, that one of the most significant relationships in my life is with an inanimate, even (cover your ears, oatmeal!) boring food. But I truly love the warming morning porridge, and thanks to a little ingenuity and know-how, we've managed to keep things interesting, and, until recently, I had little interest in straying from my comforting daily routine.

That is, until one morning not long ago, when a seemingly innocent flirtation with a new treat in town turned my world upside-down. It might not be conventionally attractive — in fact, it's pale, short, and frankly a little bit gloppy — but, boy, does it know how to make a woman's taste buds light up. The stranger I speak of is, of course, this creamy, velvety-smooth banana shake-smoothie hybrid. It's not much to look at, but with one sip, the depths of its complex but comforting nature become apparent. It even comes together in a flash, and is perfect for weekday mornings, a problem oatmeal and I have been attempting to reconcile for years. And while I can't say for sure what my future holds in this bizarre love triangle, I have an inkling that it'll involve both of these charming suitors.